1) If my Parker guitar needs servicing, who do I contact? Do you have authorized service centers?

All Parker repairs are done at the Parker factory. Please contact Parker’s Product Support office at 800-877-6863 for information, return authorization and a Parker Work Order Number. Please see the Limited Warranty info found here on the Support page. top

2) I see that Parker is now offering a Fly model with Seymour Duncan pickups (the new Fly Mojo). Where can I get Seymour Duncans to put into my Fly guitar? Can I have you put them in for me in the Parker Custom Shop?

We've had interest in Duncans and an all-Mahogany Fly guitar for years; that's what led us to create the new Fly Mojo. The Mojo body cavities are not cut the same as other Fly guitars. In order to mount the Seymour Duncan Jazz & JB pickups, the Mojo has a different pickup cavity and a different set of body inserts in the pickup cavity, to which the pickups are attached. Further, the Duncans are not attached with the standard Duncan mounting tabs. As you probably know, the body of any Parker Fly is not a thick slab of wood like other guitars, and does not have room for standard pickup mounting tabs. While it is possible to modify an existing Fly to take Duncans, this is not a simple task and should be done only by a professional trained guitar technician. We expect to provide this replacement pickup service at some time in the future. top

3) I've heard that Parker is now offering new versions of the Fly Deluxe, Fly Classic, Fly Artist and Fly Supreme guitars with a coil tap, improved electronics, a new control layout, improved internal balance wheel, easier battery access and point-to-point wiring in the control cavity. Is it possible to upgrade my Fly guitar with any of these new features?

These improvements are based on customer feedback and so we're not surprised to be getting lots of questions about this since we announced the new and improved Fly series earlier this year. The changes are a system of integrated elements and require different routing of the body cavities, among other things. Also, these elements go together and can not be added individually. It would cost more to modify an existing instrument than it would to buy one of the new ones. Therefore we recommend that you check out the new & improved Fly at your local Parker dealer and if you like it, get one! top

4) What does the big wheel that sticks through the back and front of the Fly control?

Our Patented Vibrato system was designed specifically for the Fly Guitar. The Fly Vibrato is the most versatile and trouble free system around. Because it has new capabilities, and features, it also has new kinds of controls that you’ll need to get to know. The Balance Wheel adjusts the vibrato spring’s force on the bridge - just like the spring claw screws on a Strat – type vibrato. The Balance Wheel, together with the Step - Stop are the two new hand operated controls found on all Fly Vibrato Guitars. Our unique Vibrato bridge can be quickly adjusted (without tools or wrenches) to perform in Fixed Mode, in Bend Down Only Mode, or in Balanced Mode - bending both up and down. Please refer to the illustrated Fly Handbook for the full story.

Be careful! Over tightening the Balance Wheel can cause the spring to break and possibly damage the guitar. top

5) When I use the stereo cable and separate amps for the magnetic and piezo pickups I hear a pretty serious hum. What can I do to get rid of this?

You have what is known as a ground loop. This isn’t the fault of the guitar or the amp. Ground loops can occur whenever two pieces of electronic equipment are connected. Use a Direct Box with a ground lift to isolate the two amps. Plug the Magnetic end of the Y cable into one amp, and the Piezo end into the Direct Box. Plug the Direct Box’s output into a balanced input on the second amp.

Do not disconnect or otherwise attempt to defeat ground connections on your electrical equipment. top

6) Once I placed heavier strings on my Fly, the vibrato just doesn’t work as well as it did when it was new. What happened?

The Fly’s vibrato system uses a unique Flat Spring that is matched to the gauge of strings. When you move up to heavier strings you also need to move up to the matching heavier Flat Spring. You can order heavier springs by calling us at 800-877-6863. Using a spring size that is smaller than the string gauge may cause the spring to break and damage the guitar. top

7) I heard that I could tell the date my Parker was made by the serial number. Can you explain the dating system?

On the Fly we use a six or seven digit serial number. All guitars made before 2003 will have the six digit code. The first 3 digits are the day of the year, the next two are the number in that days production, and the last digit is the year.

Here’s a Fly serial number example:

Serial Number 001030

001=(Day of the year) January, 1st

03=(Number of guitar that day) Third

0=(Year) 2000

The NiteFly uses a different system using either a five or six digit serial number. The first one or two digits show the month, the third is the last number in the year, and the last three digits show the number in that months production.

Here’s a NiteFly serial number example:

Serial Number 117123

11=(Month) November

7=(Year) 1997

123=(Number of guitar that month) 123

The Fly Bass uses a six digit serial # where the first three digits are an internal code and the last three digits are the sequence number in production.

9) My battery went dead about a week after I purchased my Fly guitar. How long should it last?

The battery in your Parker Fly should last for about approximately 100 hours of continuous use. The guitar’s active mixer/preamp circuit is switched on when a cable is plugged in. To extend battery life, please remember to unplug the cable when you’re not playing your guitar. top

10) I did not receive all the accessories with my Parker. Are they supposed to be included with the guitar and if so, how can I get them?

Parker guitars are shipped with accessories that include a manual, tools, cable and warranty card. The only exceptions are the Fly Concert, Spanish Fly, and Fly Standard which are not shipped with a cable. Please check back with the store where you purchased your guitar if you did not receive these accessories. You can also purchase these accessories by calling Parker at: 800-877-6863.

Parker manuals are available as PDF file downloads here on the downloads area and by clicking here. top

11) What does the red button on the back edge of my Parker Fly actually do?

The red Stereo/Mono button allows you to route the pickups two different ways. With the button in the OUT position, the guitar’s output is stereo. The magnetic and piezo signals can be sent to two separate amps. With the Stereo/Mono button in the IN position, the guitar’s output is mono. Using a standard guitar cable, both signals are mixed and sent to a single amplifier. top

The MidiAxe circuit does all MIDI conversion internally. So no external c onverters are needed! To learn more about the features and operation of the MIDIFly, please download the MIDIFly manual.pdf file found here on the Support page. top

14) I have the MIDI cables connected properly between my MidiFly and my synth module, but I’m still not getting any sound. Why?

Because the MidiAxe™ MIDI conversion circuit receives its signal from the piezo system, a cable must be plugged into the MIDIFly's output jack to switch on the piezo system and for the MIDI circuit to operate. top

15) I’m freaking! I put a nick in the finish of my Fly, how can I buy some touch up paint?